Military Operations ~ On The Delaware

During the late war in 1812, 13, & 14

The occurrences, during the Revolutionary war, properly belong
to the province, of the Historian, of that celebrated struggle
for Liberty. The more recent Movements of the War, of 1812, 13,
&. 14, however, deserve to be noticed, more particularly, as
many of our most distinguished, and wealthy Citizens, of the
present day, enrolled themselves, anting those, who promptly, at
the call of our (then) distressed country, laid down the garb of
Citizens, and assumed the arduous duties of the Camp, and of the
Soldier.

At an early period of that War, the Delaware Bay was blockaded,
by Sir John Beresford, who made an attack on Lewistown, and
received, an unexpectedly, warm reception; and from the
marauding expeditions of Admiral Cockburn, in the Chesapeake and
this attack of General Ross," on Washington, and Baltimore,
apprehensions were entertained, that Philadelphia, might also,
become the next object, of attack.

The Muster Rolls, of the Troops, which were called into service,
on that occasion, has been politely loaned, to the publisher of
this historical sketch, by a Gentleman, who took an active part,
on that important occasion, and who, since that time, has been
constantly before the public, as a Military Officer, as well as
one, distinguished, for the satisfactory discharge, of several
important public offices.

The depredations committed by the British, on the Chesapeake and
their menacing altitude on the Delaware, rendered it absolutely
necessity that a force should be embodied, to repel their
aggression's. With this view, a detachment of militia was
ordered to be drafted, for the service of the United States. No
sooner was this measure known, than the Philadelphia Blues, and
Independent Volunteers, two old and respectable Companies,
united with the Washington Guards, which had become organized in
March, and was the first New Company, formed after the
commencement of the WAR, in offering their services to the
government, in lien of the contemplated militia draft. Their
offer was accepted, and after having been mustered and
inspected, the detachment marched from the City, for the State
of Delaware, on the afternoon of the 13th of May, under the
command of Col. Lewis Rush.

It encamped for the night, a short distance from Gray's Ferry,
where in consequence of a severe rain, on the succeeding day, it
was detained until near noon of the 15th, on the evening of
which day, it arrived and quartered at Chester. On the 16th, it
passed through Wilmington and pitched upon a field about a mile
below that town, and on the morning of the 17th reached
Staunton, a village on the Baltimore road, six miles from
Wilmington, about a mile from which, a permanent encampment was
formed. This spot was selected by General Bloomfield, then
commander of the District, as an eligible place, for a Camp of
observation, on account of its proximity to the waters of the
Delaware and Chesapeake. New Castle on the left was six miles
distant, and the Head of Elk, where the British had landed,
during the war of the Revolution, immediately preceding the
Battle of Brandywine, and where it was thought probable from
their movements, they again intended to annoy the country, was
but seventeen miles. It was supposed, that a force of three
hundred and fifty men, aided by the Volunteers of Delaware,
would be amply sufficient to repulse anybody of the enemy, which
would probably be landed on either side, and orders were given
to send out occasional scouting parties, to collect information,
to obtain a knowledge of the surrounding country, and to watch
the movements of the foe, should any attempt be made, to
disembark his troops. These parties, under the command of a
commissioned officer, extended their reconnoitering excursions,
as far as Christianna, Newark, New Castle, and even Elkton.

On Sunday, the 29th of May, an express reached Wilmington,
informing that two frigates, one sloop of war, and a tender,
were ascending the Delaware, under a press of sail, with a fair
wind. The drums beat to arms, and the several Volunteer corps
assembled at their respective posts. Intelligence of the
expected attack, with the usual exaggerated reports, was soon
conveyed to the camp, and inspired the troops with a vigor, not
before exhibited. Even those who were under the surgeon's care,
were soon cured of their infirmities, buckled on their arms, and
stood in the ranks, prepared for a march. The whole country was
in consternation, and all believed the enemy was at hand. The
Independent Blues was ordered down to New Castle, whilst the
other two Companies stood by their arms, prepared to proceed
towards Christiana, or in any other direction from which the
enemy might approach. AH was life and activity, and the
ambitious spirits who had long been indulging in the hope of
distinction on the field of battle, already fancied their
anticipations realized. But their hopes were short lived. The
alarm proved groundless; some barges had appeared higher up the
Bay than usual, and in their course, had been magnified to a
small fleet of ships. The Independent Blues remained under arms
at New Castle during the night, and on the following afternoon
returned to camp.

A rumor about this time having obtained currency, that the enemy
purposed to ascend the Delaware, and to attempt the destruction
of the extensive Powder Mills, on the Brandywine, Col. Rush was
ordered to take up a new position with his troops on Shellpot
Hill, three miles North of Wilmington, one from the Delaware,
and about half way between the latter and the main Philadelphia
road. This position was high and healthy, commanded a complete
view of the River as far down as New Castle, and covered
Hamilton's landing, the only practicable point, near the
Brandywine, where a debarkation could have been effected. The
detachment left their ground near Staunton, on the 2nd of June,
and on the same day, reached their new station, where they
continued without any active service, until the month of July.
The daily drills and battalion exercises, with the nightly
posting of picket guards at the landing on the River, tended to
perfect the men in their discipline and duties, and it would
certainly not be going too far to say, that their appearance and
knowledge of military movements, had never before, been
surpassed, by the same number of Volunteers, in the service of
the United States.

The heat of the weather rendering it ineligible to continue an
encampment too long upon the same spot, the detachment was
marched on, about the 12th of July, to Oak Hill, near Stille's
run, about four miles South of Dupont Powder Mills, and about
the same distance West from Wilmington. Here it continued until
the final order for return, which took place after the British
had descended the Chesapeake, to where their predatory warfare
upon the defenseless towns, situated near the mouth of the Bay.
The Camp was broken up on the 26th of July, and the troops
reached Chester on that night, and Philadelphia, on the
afternoon of the succeeding day. In the neighborhood of the
lower ferry, they were met by a number of Volunteer Corps, of
Cavalry and Infantry, who had prepared for them, a grateful
repast, at the Woodlands, and were escorted into the City, where
they were dismissed, in front of the State House.

In calling the attention of our old companions to the scenes of
this year, it would be doing injustice to the inhabitants of the
State of Delaware, in the neighborhood of whom, the several
encampments of the detachment were formed, to omit to notice the
liberal hospitality displayed by them. No civility or
accommodation, calculated to render the situation of the troops
agreeable, was withheld, and it was a source of pleasing
reflection to the detachment, that those whom they were sent
immediately to defend, were every way worthy to be defended.
Groat credit, is also due to the inhabitants of Wilmington. New
Castle, and their vicinities, for their promptness, in
organizing corps, for defense. Two Companies of Infantry,
composed of the workmen, at the factories on the Brandywine,
were organized, uniformed, and equipped, under the command of
the two Messrs. Duponts. One troop of Cavalry was also raised,
in the same neighborhood, and placed under the command of Wm.
Young, Esq. An excellent corps of Artillery, commanded by Caesar
A. Rodney, Esq. was embodied at Wilmington, and a fine Company
of Infantry was raised at New Castle, under the command of
Nicholas Vandyke, Esq. These corps, with the addition of Capt.
John Warner's troop of horse, Capt. Wilson's Company of
Artillery, and Capt. Leonard's Company of Artillery, although
not actually in the field, stood prepared, at a moment's
warning, to unite with the Pennsylvania force, in opposing the
operations of the enemy.

Just about the time of the return of this detachment, an affair
took place in the Delaware, which reflected great credit upon
some of our young Naval Officers. It is so well described in Mr.
Thomson's Book, that we shall take the liberty of using his own
words for it.

A Merchant Sloop, having entered the Bay, on the 22nd of July,
on her return from sea, was cut off by the Martin Sloop of War,
which had just reappeared in the Delaware. The sloop ran aground
to avoid capture; and although she was afterwards attacked, by a
tender and four barges, well manned and armed, a hasty
collection of Militia, with one fieldpiece, under Lieut
Townsend, drove off her assailants, and saved the sloop.

A detachment of the Gun Boat Flotilla, being at this time, but a
few miles off were apprised of the attack made by the sloop of
war, and Capt. Angus immediately proceeded down the Bay, with
eight Gun Boats and two block sloops. On the 29th, he discovered
the Martin, grounded slightly, on the outer ridge of Crow's
shoals, and determined to attack her, in that situation, he
anchored his squadron within three quarters of a mile of the
enemy, and opened a fire, from the whole line. The Junon frigate
came up to the assistance of the sloop of war, and anchored
within half a mile, below her. Between both the enemy's vessels,
mounting in all, 69 Guns, and the Gun Boat squadron, a cannonade
followed, and continued about one hour and forty-five minutes;
in all which time, scarcely a shot struck either of the Gun
Boats whilst at almost every fire, the latter told, upon the
hulls of the sloop and frigate. This difference in the firing,
being discovered by the British, they manned their launches,
barges and cutters, ten in number, and dispatched them to cut
off the boats on the extremity of the line. No. 121, a boat
under sailing master Shead, which, by some accident, had fallen
a very great distance out of the line and was prevented from
recovering her situation by a strong ebb and the wind dying
away, became the object of attack from the enemy's barges. Eight
of them, mounting (among them) three 12 pound carronades, and
carrying 150 men, assailed the gun boat at one time. Mr. Shead
continued never the less, to sweep her towards the squadron, and
to discharge his 24 pounder, alternately, at one or the other of
the pursuing barges, until they gained so &st upon him, that he
resolved to anchor his boat, and receive them, as warmly as the
disparity of numbers would permit him. He then gave them a
discharge of his great gun, with much effect, though to the
injury of the piece, which being fired a second time and the
carriage breaking down, it became necessary to oppose the enemy,
who were closing fast, by the boarders. With these Capt. Shead
resisted them, until his deck was covered with men, and the
vessel entirely surrounded by the barges. Such was the impetuous
fury of the English sailors, that the Americans were driven
below, and the authority of me enemy's officers could scarcely
protect them from violence. The flag was struck and the boat
carried off in triumph to the men of war. In this assault, the
British lost seven killed, and twelve wounded. On board the
boat, seven men were wounded, but none killed. The squadron was
all this time firing at the enemy's ships; who retired after
capturing Mr. Shead; the Martin having been extricated from her
situation, on the shoal. On board the Flotilla, not a man was
injured, and but one of the boat's rigging cut; this was No.
125, commanded by Sailing Master Moliere. The engagement
continued nearly two hours, and was the last affair, of any
consequence which occurred, in the Delaware, during this year.